With Blake Griffin heading back to the Clippers, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant sticking with the Warriors, and Chris Paul not reaching the free agent market at all, Gordon Hayward looks like the top player on the open market at the moment.
Hayward isn’t rushing his free agent decision, having scheduled meetings with three very interested suitors. The All-Star forward is sitting down with the Heat today before meeting with the Celtics on Sunday and the Jazz on Monday.
The Celtics, armed with cap flexibility and assets, and coming off a 53-win season, have long been viewed as a potential landing spot for Hayward, especially given his history with Boston head coach Brad Stevens, who coached him at Butler. However, the Jazz have a promising young core of their own, won 51 games last season, and have built up a strong relationship with Hayward over the course of his NBA career. The Heat don’t have the same kind of history with Hayward, but Hassan Whiteside has been working hard to recruit Hayward, and the appeal of South Beach shouldn’t be understated.
While those three teams appear to be the finalists for Hayward, ESPN’s Zach Lowe noted on Friday that he wouldn’t be surprised if a fourth club lands a meeting with the 27-year-old too. At this point though, it’s not clear which other teams might attempt to get involved in the Hayward sweepstakes. It may simply come down to Boston, Utah, and Miami.
What do you think? Where will Hayward end up signing? Place your vote in our poll, then jump into the comments section below to share your thoughts.
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Celtics
Jazz
It is going to be Celtics or Jazz(I hope Celtics) so Heat fans don’t get your hopes up
Why do you hope Celtics they don’t need Hayward they already won 17 championships????? Aren’t they ok with that many rings????
Have you ever been to Boston? Championship contention is expected annually.
Do the celtics plan to use Hayward at the 4? They have jaylen brown, Jae crowder and Tatum now who all play the 3, which is Haywards natural position. Danny probably has moves up his sleeves if he signs Hayward but I think they need a power forward instead.
Despite the size, Crowder would probably play PF instead
I will also say the Celtics but I never underestimate Pat Riley and it appears the Jazz have built some great relationships within their organization with Hayward. That does mean something to what appears to be a loyal guy.
My guess is if the Celtics sign Hayward, most likely Crowder gets traded. Hayward will play the 3 mostly (some 2) and Horford is the 4 with Zeznic as the 5 ( he’s going to help with rebounding in a big way). Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are coming off the bench developing their game and when the play small Horford will be the 5 with Brown and Hayward or Tatum and Hayward at the 3 &4. The Warriors have changed how teams play. You can play small a lot of you can score.
Zizic
West pulls out his magical card.
Steals Hayward.
Unlikely….but
Hopefully Boston will add a prize to there team….. We still need a rebounder
Warriors
After Monday, I believe Gordon will remain with the Utah Jazz.
If Danny doesn’t get Haywood he should be fired the next DAY!
He is afraid to put the trigger on any trade, where he isn’t killing the other team!
Your upset because your GM doesn’t want to waste those assets SMH
The heat gets him
At this point with pg13 off the market the celtics should focus on their youth at the forward position. Personally I think they should go in the direction of Andre Drummond. He and al horford would give nightmares to teams inside. Then at the end of the game when drummonds free throw % becomes a liability, you can go smaller with horford at the 5 or put in zizic. At this point don’t waste your money on anymore guards/forwards. Try to pull a rebounding first center regardless of cost.
He’s going to sign with the Heat. It’s been his plan for months now. Said the Heat culture, Miami lifestyle, and his roll on the court were the biggest factors. Spolstra and State Tax were next.
It’s going to be the Celtics! He will look up at the 17 banners hanging in TD Garden and realize there is to much history to pass up!